Train-order-delivering apparatus.



W. W. ALLEN.

TRAIN ORDER DELIVERING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION-FILED JAN. 2, 1909.

Patented Oct. 5, 1909.

'2 SHBE'I'E-SHEET 1.

W. W, ALLEN.

TRAIN ORDER DELIVERING APPARATUS.

, APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2, 1909. 935,632.

Patented 001]. 5, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLARD W. ALLEN, OF PRETTY PRAIRIE, KANSAS.

TRAIN-ORDER-DELIVERING APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLARD W. ALLEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pretty Prairie, in the county of Reno and State of Kansas, have invented a new and useful Train-Order-Delivering Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to an apparatus for delivering train orders, messages and small packages to a moving train without requiring the same to stop.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of train order delivering apparatus, and to increase the efficiency of the same, and to provide a simple and comparatively inexpensive apparatus, adapted to be operated from the interior of an oflice or station, and capable of enabling an order, message or the like to be readily obtained by a passing train and of signaling to such train that there is an order or message for the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide a train order signaling apparatus capable of automatic operation to successively present a plurality of order holding devices in position for removal by an engineer or other train person, so that in event of a double header, or a train having two engines, 'an order may be delivered to each engineer or other persons located at different points on a train.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and novel combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended; it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of construction, within the scope of the claims, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings :Figure 1 is a perspective view of a train order delivering apparatus, constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view partly in section. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of one of the hoop holders. Fig. 4c is a detail sectional view, taken longitudinally of one of the hoop holders, and illustrating the manner of engaging a hoop. Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of the order clamp. Fig. 7 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing a hand train order delivery apparatus.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 2, 1909.

Patented Oct. 5, 1909. Serial No. 470,528.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

1 designates a post or upright, designed in practice to be arranged exteriorly of an otfice or station and provided with suitable bearings 2 for a vertical shaft 3, having a horizontal supporting arm 4: at its upper end. The upright may be constructed of any suitable material, and the vertical shaft is also provided at its lower end with an arm 5, connected by a rod 6 with an operating lever 7, preferably pivoted to a stand 8.

The operating lever and the stand are designed to be located within an office or station for operating the apparatus from the interior. The stand 8, which may be of any preferred construction, is provided at the top with a segment 9, having notches 10 and adapted to be engaged by a spring actuated dog or detent 11, connected with a latch lever 12 and adapted to secure the operating lever in either of its positions. The upright 1 and the shaft 2 may be located at either side of a track, and the vertical shaft is rotated to swing the upper horizontal arm toward and from the track for arranging the horizontal arm either transversely or longitudinally of the track.

The upper horizontal arm is provided at an intermediate point with a horizontal pivot 13, which supports a rotary spring actuated sleeve or member 14, carrying a plurality of radially arranged hoop holders 15, which are successively carried to the outer end of the arm 4:, as the hoops 16 are removed. Each hoop holder is composed of two bars or members 17 and 18, provided at their inner faces with corresponding grooves 19 adapted to receive spaced prongs 20 of the hoops 16. The plates 17, which are more or less resilient, are secured together at the inner ends of the plates 17 by means of a bolt 21, having a nut 22 to enable the parts to be readily adjusted and to be separated and assembled. The bar or member 18 is extended beyond the bar or member 17 to provide a shank 23, which is formed integral with the sleeve 14. The outer portions of the bars 17 and 18 are connected by a bolt 24, piercing the bars 17 and 18. at a point between the grooves 19 and provided with a thumb nut 25, a coiled spring 26 being interposed between the thumb nut and the bar 18 for yieldably holding the clamping bars 17 and 18 in engagement with the prongs 20.

This will enable the hoops to be readily removed from the holders. The sleeve 1 1 is arranged on the inner portion of the pivot 13, which receives a coiled spring 27 retained on the pivot 13 by means of a nut 28, or other suitable device and having extended inner and outer terminals 29 and 30, connected, respectively, with one of the hoop holders and with the arm 4. The extended terminal 29 is provided with an end hook 31 for engaging the shank 23 of one of the hoop holders. The other extended end portion 30 is connected with the arm 4 by an adjusting device, consisting of a screw 32, a rod 33 and a nut'3 l. The rod is fixed to and extends laterally from the arm l and is provided in its outer end with a perforation through which the screw 32 passes. The screw 32 is provided at its lower end with a head or enlarged portion, having a perforation for the reception of the extended end portion 30 of the spring. The extended end portion 30 is bent at an angle to retain it in the perfo ation of the screw, and the upper portion of the latter receives the nut 3st, which is adapted to adjust the screw to vary the tension of the spring.

The hoop 16 is constructed of steel wire, or other suitable material, the ends of which are twisted at 35 and extended to form the prongs 20. The arm 1 is provided at is outer end with a stop or rest 36, arranged in the path of the twisted shank or portion of the hoops and adapted to maintain the same in an extended position, as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The rest 36 is preferably equipped with a buffer 37 of rubber, or other suitable material to reduce the rebound to a minimum and to avoid injuring the hoops. The hoop, when supported by the rest 36, extends outward beyond the end of the arm at and in practice will be sutliciently close to a passing train to enable the engineer or other person on the train to pass his arm through the extended hoop and withdraw the same from the holder. As soon as one hoop is withdrawn the spring 27 rotates the sleeve 14: and automatically carries another hoop to the rest 36. This will enable each engineer of a double header or train drawn by two engines to be presented with a train order, or the orders or messages may be delivered to the engineer and conductor and to other persons. The rest 36 is preferably arranged at right angles to the upper arm 4t and may be conveniently formed integral with the same, but any other suitable form of rest may be employed.

Each hoop or order carrying member is equipped with an order clamp 38, composed of two plates 39 and 4L0, pivotally connected at an intermediate point and having outer diverging portions and inner clamping portions. The pivot ll for connecting the plates pierces opposite ears 42 and 4:3, 10-

cated at opposite sides of the plates formed integral with the same. The pivot also receives a spring 4:4, which urges the engaging portions of the plates toward each other. The spring is oppositely coiled, the intermediate portion being bent to form a loop 15, which bears against the plate @LO. The terminals as of the spring are connected with the cars 42 of the plate 39. The cars 42 are provided with recesses t7 and the terminals of the spring are engaged with the recesses. The inner end of the plate 39 is bent or rolled to form a bead 48, which embraces the hoop, whereby the order clamp is mounted on the same. The order clamp is adapted to receive messages and other small objects, and various forms of clamps may be provided for attaching a train order or small package to the hoop.

The apparatus is equipped with a signal 49 prei'ierably similar in configuration to a semaphore, and designed to be red or some other color, which will indicate to the engineer that an order is awaiting the train at that point. The apparatus is also provided with a tubular lantern holder, consisting of a vertical tube 50 and horizontal laterally extending tubular portions or arms 51. The tubular holder is adapted to receive a signal lantern, and the arms 51 are provided with lenses 52, corresponding in color with the color of the signal 19 and designed for signaling a train at night and for also indicating the position of the exposed hoop, the tubular holder being substantially on a line with the outer hoop.

These signals are designed to be used in connection with the usual signals and their presence or absence will clearly indicate to an engineer whether or not an order is at any particular point.

Instead of removing the hoops by hand, a suitable device may be mounted on a train for that purpose. The apparatus may be operated to swing the arm outward from one train and to return it to the limit of its inward movement until another train has passed and it is under the complete control of the operator.

In Fig. 7 of the drawings is illustrated a modification of the invention, the hoop holder being provided with a handle 54:, adapted to enable an order or message to be delivered by hand to an engineer, or other person of a train. The holder is composed of two clamping bars 55, provided at their inner engaging faces with longitudinal grooves and connected by a bolt 56, piercing the engaging portions of the bars 55 between the grooves and receiving a coiled spring 57, interposed between a nut 58 and one of the bars for yieldably holding the same in engagement with the prongs of the hoops. The bars 55 are provided with extended diverging inner portions, which are secured to the ends of the grip or handle 54:.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An apparatus of the class described including a hoop having a shank, a hoop holder comprising a pair of resilient clamping bars to engage the said shank, and a bolt piercing the clamping bars.

2. An apparatus of the class described including a hoop having a shank, a hoop holder comprising a pair of clamping bars to en age the said shank, a bolt piercing the clamping bars, and a spring mounted on the bolt and engaging one of the bars.

3. An apparatus of the class described including a holder, and a hoop consisting of a piece of material having extended terminals twisted together and extended be yond the twisted portion to form prongs for cooperating with the holder.

An apparatus of the class described including a hoop provided with spaced prongs, and ahoop holder comprising clamping bars provided at their inner faces with grooves receiving the prongs, and fastening means connecting the bars.

5. An apparatus of the class described including a hoop provided with spaced prongs, and a hoop holder comprising clamping bars provided at their inner faces with grooves receiving the prongs, and a fastening device piercing the bars between the grooves thereof.

6. An apparatus of the class described including a hoop provided with spaced prongs, and a hoop holder comprising clamping bars provided at their inner faces with grooves receiving the prongs, a bolt piercing the bars between the grooves, and a spring interposed between the nut and one of the bars.

7. An apparatus of the class described including a plurality of hoop holders, and means for automatically carrying the hoop holders to an exposed position to successively present to a train a plurality of hoops for removal.

8. An apparatus of the class described including a rotary element, a plurality of radially arranged hoop holders carried by the said element, and means for automatically actuating the said element to succes sively present to a train a plurality of hoops for removal from the apparatus.

9. An apparatus of the class described including a rotary element, a plurality of hoop holders carried by theelement, a spring for actuating the said element, a plurality of hoops removably arranged in the holders, and a rest arranged in the path of the hoops and located beyond the holders.

10. An apparatus of the class described including a rest, a rotary member, a plurality of spaced hoop holders arranged to be successively carried to the said rest by the rotary member, and means for actuating the rotary member.

11. An apparatus of the class described including a rest, a rotary member provided with a plurality of radially arranged hoop holders having clamps and terminating short of the rest, a plurality of hoops having projecting portions fitted in the said clamps and arranged to be engaged by the rest, and means for actuating the rotary member.

12. An apparatus of the class described including a pivot, a sleeve, a plurality of radially arranged hoop holders connected together and mounted on the said sleeve, a spring disposed on the pivot and connected with one of the holders, and a relatively fixed adjusting device connected with the spring.

13. An apparatus of the class described including a pivot, a sleeve, a plurality of radially arranged hoop holders connected together and mounted on the said sleeve, a spring disposed on the pivot and connected with one of the holders, and an adjusting device composed of a relatively fixed rod and connected with the spring, and a nut arranged on the screw and engaging the rod.

14. An apparatus of the class described including a horizontally swinging arm, a signal carried by the arm, a plurality of hoop holders, and means for operating the same to successively present to a train a plurality of hoops for removal.

15. An apparatus of the class described including a vertical shaft, a horizontal arm extending from the upper portion of the shaft, a semaphore extending longitudinally of the arm, a hoop holder carried by the arm, and operating mechanism connected with the shaft for swinging the arm to move the hoop holder and the signal simultaneously inward and outward.

16. An apparatus of the class described including a vertical shaft, a horizontal arm extending from the upper portion of the shaft, a semaphore extending longitudinally of the arm, a hoop holder carried by the arm, an operating lever designed to be arranged within an office, connections between the operating lever and the shaft, and means for locking the lever.

17. An apparatus of the class described including a swinging arm, hoop holding means carried by the arm, and a tubular support also carried by the arm and provided with opposite tubular portions arranged at right angles to the arm, said tubular holder being adapted to receive a lighting device.

18. An apparatus of the class described including a swinging arm, hoop holding means carried by the arm, and a tubular support also carried by the arm and provided with opposite tubular portions having lenses, said tubular portions being adapted to receive a lantern.

19. An apparatus of the class described including a hoop, means for holding the same, and a clamp spaced from the said holding means and composed of tWo spring actuated members, one of the members being provided with a bead emb'acing the hoop.

20. A device for delivering train orders or other messages including train order holders, one for the engineer and the other for the conductor, radially arranged arms supporting the order holders, a stop directly engaged by one of the order holders and maintaining the same in position for delivery, and means for automatically moving the other arm to a position for delivery upon the discharge of the first named holder. In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of tWo Witnesses.

\VILLARD \V. ALLEN.

\Vitnesses F. J. KNoWL'roN, S. L. Snrrn. 

